This 10-Yr-Old From Jalandhar Won The Young Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2018 Award

10-year-old Arshdeep Singh from Jalandhar, Punjab has scripted history by winning the prestigious Young Wildlife Photographer of The Year (Asia) Award, for his stunning snap titled ‘Pipe Owls’. The photograph, taken outside Kapurthala in Punjab, shows two spotted owlets snugly peeping from inside a pipe. Arshdeep was presented with the award on Tuesday at a gala ceremony organised at the Natural History Museum, London.

Arshdeep at the award ceremony

The story behind the winning shot

Talking to Hindustan Times, Arshdeep excitedly shared the story behind his marvellous shot. “I often travel to Kapurthala with my father for nature photography. One such day, when I saw a ‘spotted owl’ flying inside a tube, I told my father to stop the car. He did not believe me. We waited for some time until they came out again and without wasting a moment, I took the shot. My father was stunned,” shares Arshdeep.

He added that while capturing the moment, he felt that the baby owls were staring straight at him. “I felt like each one of them wanted to say to me- I see you!” he narrates.

His father is a professional wildlife photographer

Randeep Singh, Arshdeep’s father, is a familiar name among wildlife photographers in India. It’s no wonder that young Arshdeep was deeply inspired by his father and has found his passion in the lens as well. He took up the camera when he was only six years old.

‘Leopard with a kill (African Bush Hare)’

The father and son duo often pair up to travel to exotic locations across the world to capture the wildlife. Arshdeep’s excellent skills are evident in his amazing shots of wild beasts which he has shared on social media.

A photo titled ‘Jambo Africaaaaa!’

Lions, tigers, leopards have been caught in their majestic moods by him; however, Arshdeep reveals he is particularly passionate about capturing the birds.

The young expert’s photographs have already been featured in top international photography magazines like Lonely Planet UK, Germany & India as well as BBC Wildlife UK, reports Hindustan Times.

“Eurasia Jay”

About the award

According to Times Now, The Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) happens to be the biggest competition for wildlife photography in the world. This year Arshdeep has won in the ‘10 years and under’ age category, which was awarded by Britain’s Natural History Museum. The organisers appreciated Arshdeep’s ‘keen observational skills’ in a tweet about the award.

Our youngest category winner, in 10 Years and Under, is Arshdeep Singh from India with 'Pipe Owls'.After his keen observational skills helped him see these spotted owlets Arshdeep waited patiently for the birds to peep out from their hiding place to get this winning shot.#WPY54pic.twitter.com/utLSEXt3qW

Thank you note for the family

Post the award ceremony, Arshdeep took to Facebook to express his gratitude towards his family for their unending support and inspiration.

“I would like to thanks my family because without their support this wasn’t really possible. Thank you for motivating and supporting me. Special thanks to my grandparents, parents and my sister,” read his Facebook status.

“I learn every day, learning helps me become a better photographer,” the young prodigy shared with Hindustan Times.

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Partner Story

This Diwali Let Us Rebuild Schools To Secure A Better Future For The Country

We all have memories attached to our schools. Yes, obviously we do, otherwise, why would we be all excited for our school’s 10-year reunion? Because reunions are the time when we get to relive those juvenile memories and cherish the good old days.

The times we shared the same bench with our best friend and played tic tac toe on the desk. The times we took toilet breaks in the middle of a class only to secretly loiter around the corridors. The brilliant lunches we shared with our friends on the school playground during recess. Reminiscing over these memories warms our hearts.

Did you know that at least 35 million children between the age group of 6-14 do not attend school in India? There have been several reports that girls drop out of school because of a lack of basic facilities such as toilets. These children are not only missing out on basic education, but they are also missing out on those wonderful memories.

In a bid to make early education accessible to all, HIL Limitedhas taken a wonderful initiative. HIL Limited believe in the fact that when we do things together, better things happen, standing by their philosophy of ‘Together We Build’. In the film, you can see a small child Kamli. The naive child makes a colorful paper lantern for Diwali and gifts it to her school, which is in shambles. She is eager to learn and her adamant heart still gives her the hope that the colourful lantern might make her broken school a little brighter. After her Diwali holidays, when she comes back to her school and finds it prettier her heart rejoices.

HIL Limited believes that education is the right step towards bringing young minds together and creating a feeling of togetherness. Their social initiative has helped 75,000 children like Kamli by rebuilding their schools.

Now, these children would not miss out on basic education. They will also get to make beautiful memories that they will cherish for a very long time. This would also make their future stronger and more reliable. If you know any such school that needs attention, then please write to[email protected].

The Logical Indian appreciates HIL Limited for the wonderful initiative they have taken to make the future of so many underprivileged children better. Children are the future of the country and we hope that by making their future secure, we are taking our country forward.